Fit For Life: 3 Biggest Hurdles Between You and Your Fitness Goals

Don’t let lack of time or restaurant meetings be an excuse to pig out when eating out. Photo: Flickr/pointnshoot

Being fit and healthy isn't easy. There are many personal obstacles as well as outside distractions that derail us from our mission, and I am here to help you overcome a few. It is difficult enough for people that like to work out to find the time, and people that want to eat healthy who also have to eat on the go, to do so. Imagine how tough it is for the uninformed and unmotivated.

Obstacle #1- marketing and advertising

Everyone wants to get results the quickest way possible, doing the least amount of work, and I have said it over and over again that there is no easy way. It takes time, energy, and intensity to be fit. You will not get it in 4 mins a day, or by eating some sandwich with Fritos in it, because some guy claims he lost 100 pounds eating at the fast-food chain. You won't get abs in 8 minutes a day without a proper eating plan, and you will not get fit at home watching videos unless you follow the program with intensity and read the fine print. So do not give in to all the fancy ads - if it says easy or quick, it is a lie. It is hard work, but anything worth having requires hard work. Many people fall prey to these quick fix schemes, and when they fall short of unrealistic goals, they get discouraged and quit. So do not start a program with unrealistic goals, and remember, there is really no easy way.

Obstacle #2 - peer pressure

People who are jealous of your aesthetics seem to always find fault and make fun of what you are doing. They harass you when you order healthy food, or read a label, or make a comment about working out. You always get the "we can't all look like you" statement in condescending overtones, and roll their eyes when someone compliments you. They have reasons why you are fit and they are not, because they are busier or have more important things than you do going on in their lives. You fitness people all have someone like this in your lives, and I say ignore the negativity and let them rant. Because it makes as much sense as mocking someone with more money than you. Take jealousy as a compliment, and stick to your game plan. Being fit and healthy is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about, and it is a lifestyle you shouldn't have to justify or defend. When I hear that I am too conscious or I let fitness run my life, or I take it too far, I don't feel the need to explain myself, nor do I have the desire to critique negative aspects of someone else's lifestyle. I feel that taking care of yourself is a normal, primal instinct, and feel that knowingly consuming products that are harmful of damaging to your body is not an ideal lifestyle, so know that you are doing the right thing, stay the course, and let your critics enjoy their doctors’ visits.

Obstacle #3 - eating on the go

This seems to be the toughest challenge for both healthy individuals and foodies. But, it isn’t impossible to do, but it does take a conscious effort and a little planning. It can be done. So don’t let lack of time or restaurant meetings be an excuse to do it wrong. My first preference is to find a good market. Most have eating areas and prepared food ready and available. A roasted chicken and a salad or vegetables makes a prefect lunch and usually leaves extra for later. This costs about the same as a sandwich and bag of chips and is healthier and more balanced. There are several types of Tex/Mex chains that offer a decent meal on the go. I suggest getting bowl type meals with beans, instead of the wrap, and pile on the veggies. Many ethnic spots offer the same type of fare with meals being available instead of the standard sandwich or greasy processed meal. Although this isn't as good as buying organic food and making it yourself, it is an acceptable alternative.

There are many ways to be deterred from a healthy lifestyle, we live in a time of what's becoming the worst man made health epidemic ever. Disease and obesity is on the rise and our food supply keeps getting worse, but I do not write to discourage people - only to motivate and educate. I try to give you the tools to make the right choices and make positive gains. It's up to you to open the toolbox.

Matt Espeut has worked as a personal trainer for almost 20 years with clients ranging in age from 14 to 86. His focus is on overall health, strength, and functional conditioning. Holistic health and nutrition is the cornerstone of all his programs. Matt works in private and small group training available at your home or office location or at gym facilities. Matt offers his services to everyone wanting to be more fit and healthy, overweight young people, youth/collegiate athletes, and seniors. Matt has worked and continues to train at several facilities in the Providence area including Gold's Gym and CORE Studio, and he believes continued education is a must in his field. Email Matt:[email protected], check out his website athttp://www.fitnessprofiles.net or on Facebook at Matt Espeut or on Twitter @MattEspeut.

Related Slideshow: 10 Great Yoga Spots

Providence Power Yoga

Providence Power Yoga is the perfect place to get your daily dose of calm, whether you are just beginning the exploration of yoga or have been reaping its benefits for years. Try Revive and Restore for the ultimate class in revitalization and relaxation. If you’re a music lover, Chillwave Solar Flow is your go-to class, complete with fun electronic indie music and heated power-yoga.

Bristol Yoga Studio

If you are a yoga beginner or are experiencing the body changes that come with pregnancy, Bristol Yoga Studio is the place to go. Beginners will benefit from Kripalu Yoga, a mixed-level class that emphasizes wholeness, meditation, and balance. Pre-natal yoga will teach breathing techniques, body awareness, and more that will help both in labor and after you have had your child.

Boiler House Bikram Yoga

Boiler House Bikram Yoga in Providence is the place to be for all things Bikram Yoga. Bikram Yoga is a yoga practice that incorporates 26 traditional Hatha Yoga poses and 2 breathing exercises in a hot room. The benefits of Bikram Yoga include detoxification, increased libido, reduced stress, and so much more. Try it out for yourself; we did!

Yoga Loft RI

Beginners can’t go wrong with Yoga Loft RI in Warren. Try out Yin Restorative Yoga to bring balance to your life, Sunday Morning Yoga for a healthy and rejuvenating start to your week, or Beginners Belly Dance for a fun and creative experience. If you’ve got little ones, sign them up for the Kid’s Yoga Club!

Santosha Yoga Studio

Santosha Yoga Studio & Holistic Center offers so much more than yoga. Enjoy complementary wellness consultations to learn the right path for you to take at the center. Explore acupuncture, therapeutic massage, organic facials, and other great holistic services at the center. If you or someone you know are a survivor of cancer, be sure to check out special classes geared towards survivors.

Eyes of the World

Saturday, January 18 from 12:30-2:30 pm, start your yoga journey at Eyes of the World Yoga Center in Providence. For only $18 with early registration, try out a two-hour beginner’s workshop that will show you everything that the center has to offer. Learn the basics of yoga posture, focus, contentment, and humility. Another unique feature of Eyes is free yoga for veterans that suffer from PTSD—visit their website to see how you can help.

Breathing Time Yoga

Breathing Time Yoga in Pawtucket is out to prove to the world that yoga is beneficial to everyone, regardless of weight, age, sex, or ability. This is made evident with their Yoga for Curvy Women class—awesome! Other unique classes and workshops include Stress Less for Teens, Mom & Baby Yoga, Mindful Eating and more! Take a trip to the studio to find a class that’s right for you.

The Heron Studio

The Heron Studio in nearby Fall River incorporates yoga, meditation and dance into their studio culture. Yoga is taught on three levels: introductory for beginners, intermediate to broaden understanding and goals in the practice of yoga, and advanced for students who wish to bring yoga off the cushion and into their daily lives. Several dance classes are taught that embrace community, fitness, strength, and well being.

Shri Studio

Check out Shri Studio in Pawtucket for a mindful and relaxing yoga experience. Highlights of their extensive class list include Yoga for Seniors, Gentle Yoga (free for followers of the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Center, plus one guest!), and Forrest Yoga—designed to address physical and emotional stresses that may be stored within the body.

Serenity Yoga

Next Tuesday, January 14 at 6:30 pm, visit Serenity Yoga in Warwick for a $10 drop-in yoga session. The class will incorporate a half-hour of yoga practice and a half-hour of guided meditation—the perfect remedy for your hectic week. While you’re in, make sure to check out all of the classes that the center offers.